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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The school is large enough to hold 1000 students, but the eastern wing of Dallas ISD’s A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School is the only section where classrooms are operational.

There are just 130 students enrolled, but that figure is by design.

The school is part of High School Redesign: Students apply to take part in the academic program, which focuses on using collaborative student-crafted projects, along with information technology, as the primary tools for classroom instruction.

“We use technology to support the instruction,” Assistant Principal Cynthia Sorey said.

Sorey says the former comprehensive high school is part of a network of 80 schools nationwide trying a new model of student instruction.

The school is also the latest addition to Dallas ISD’s expansion of specialized career academies. Each high school now offers programs that specialize in career training.

Students no longer have to travel to Magnet Schools to get specialized programs.

DISD Career and College Readiness Director Liliana Valadez said the Redesign program offers a new direction for students.

“If we present the academics in a way that’s interesting to kids, and relevant to kids, that’s going to engage them more,” she said.

DISD also opened new academies for students on stand alone locations.

They include the Gilliam Collegiate Academy, and the Barack Obama Leadership Academy.